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As a pastor there are some days when it seems like there are no words left to give comfort to those who are grieving. It has been in these situations where I just pray and ask God for help - help me love your people well. Let me tell you a story about one of these times in the fall of 2012, and then I’ll share with you the song that the Lord gave me to comfort others.
It was early 2012 when we learned that our friends Tim & Lynette Green were pregnant, and there was so much joy and excitement about their daughter who was due to make her debut in the fall. But along the way the doctors began seeing potential serious health problems for this little girl while she was still in the womb.
They were looking forward to naming her Lydia Rose Green.
With the church carrying this situation in prayer, Lynette was taken in to the hospital and Lydia was born with many physical challenges to overcome. The faith in Jesus Christ that Tim and Lynette walked with in those next six weeks was extraordinary, and they shared their hope and faith with other parents who had seriously ill infants, the staff, and yes, even the church.
Tim and Lynette were able to hold Lydia just once, on her last day with us on earth. As she took her last breath in her earthly father’s arms, she was taken up into her heavenly father’s arms… having been fully healed in the presence of Jesus.
Although, God is good, the Greens are an amazing testimony of faith and strength that comes from God. But make no mistake, this was not the way it was supposed to be. We aren’t supposed to bury our babies after just six weeks on earth.
You see, we live in a Sin-scarred world, a world where our peace has been highjacked and taken away. The world was not supposed to be filled with this kind of pain and suffering and death – especially for our little children.
This painful trial of losing a child is about as tough as it gets. It reminds me of Psalm 23, where the Psalmist talks about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Those of us who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death have found that we’re not alone.
Just as the shepherd’s rod and staff would comfort him, knowing that he was protected, it’s the Good Shepherd Jesus who watches over us and helps us in times of deep grief and loss.
Tim & Lynette learned again, that no matter how dark the valley you are walking through, you can be sure that you’re not alone.
As I sat down to prepare for Lydia’s memorial service, I prayed desperately for God’s heart for our situation. While I was choosing to believe that God is still good in the midst of such a painful situation – I didn’t have any clue what I would say to help bring comfort.
Like so many times before, it was in that moment that God gave me a song to comfort our hearts.
Writing the song started with Lydia’s name
Lydia was a woman mentioned in the book of Acts. She was a dealer in purple cloth. It was a male dominated society and this strong woman, this leader, was providing this fabric to the most wealthy of the region. She used her wealth to bless the Apostle Paul’s ministry, but most importantly, the Bible simply describes her as “a worshiper of God.” Her heart posture was bowed before Jesus, her Lord. I believe this was baby Lydia’s posture for all her days. She was a worshiper.
Lynette and Tim gave Lydia the middle name, Rose. In many cultures the rose symbolizes the eternal love of God for His people. Many look at a red rose and see the love and purity of Jesus as He shed his blood for our sins.
While Tim’s surname is Green, her little body was laid to rest next to her great grandparents – their surname is Fields. It was in this Green Fields that was the backdrop for Lydia’s entrance into heaven.
So, Lydia Rose Green. I kept seeing in my mind this picture of a little girl carried into eternity by Jesus, and then swirling and twirling, and celebrating and dancing, in the fields of green.
This set the stage for the song I would write – with a few key phrases that I felt like I heard from heaven prior to that. Phrases like,
“When it’s our time, you will be so kind, you will come and carry us away.”
I would argue that the timing of Lydia’s homegoing was far too soon… but our gracious, all-knowing God can be trusted, and in a thousand ways He was protecting her and loving her by bringing her home when he did.
So until that day where we see her dancing in the fields of green, the words of the song remain true,
“Lord heal my heart, heal every part.”
God tells us that He heals us and He binds up the broken hearted. The hope of this song lies in the final phrase –
“Someday we’ll dance with you in Fields of Green.”
This phrase has a double meaning; it refers to dancing with Jesus AND dancing with Lydia someday.
You probably are thinking about someone you love who has gone ahead of you to heaven. The words of this song apply perfectly to you too.
So, here is a version of this song I recorded in my garage more than ten years ago- this is Fields of Green.
Verse 1
Dancing in, the fields of green, lifted high, above all things
Hand in hand, with our king, you are dancing
Spinning round, you are free, from all pain, you are at peace
Perfect joy, has come to you, perfect peace
Chorus
Jesus, you give us life, and you give us breath
You hold us in your hands
And when it’s our time
You will be so kind,
You will come and carry us away
Verse 2
Purple skies, tell a tale, of a king, who loves so well
He understands, who we are, he is listening
As roses bloom in His time, we learn too, and we try
To trust again, and hope is on the rise
Bridge
Prince of Peace
Lord of Lords
We fall into your arms
So, Lord heal my heart
Heal every part
Someday we’ll dance with you, in fields of green
We invite you to come worship with us at Neighborhood Church in Chico.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. is in the Dome.
You can also live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m.
Need encouragement? Text the word Encourage to 530.296.3689 to receive an encouraging scripture or quote from me several times a week that is sent right to your phone.
